My old Singer has been busy the last few months. I made this wool anorak - sometimes referred to as a boreal shirt - out of an old Yugoslavian Army surplus blanket. Actually I had to cut into part of a second surplus blanket that I had because the size of one of these was not quite big enough for all parts of the pattern.

So here is the story.... Last May I went for a week on Knife. I had to pack about 5 days before my trip and had decided to bring my light weight summer sleeping bag. In those 5 days the forecasts dropped significantly from mid-upper 40s to low 30s! In Ely the day before my trip, I found this blanket for $15 at the surplus store. It was a perfect augmentation to my summer bag. Also during the trip, it was cold and drizzly a lot. I canoed around mostly in a wool shirt because I hate putting on rain gear (just dont like the sound it makes). I realized at the time that a wool anorak would make for perfect damp weather spring canoe wear! After the trip I stopped back at the shop and bought a second blanket.
The tags show the company/collective that made it, the location, the year, Z for heavy winter weight, and JNA for Jugoslavian National Army, or something close to that.

Before cutting into the blanket, I wanted to make sure I knew what I was doing so I made a pattern out of some 10 oz canvas I had. I looked at a lot of images online, as well as my own Wintergreen gear, and with lots of adjustments made a fully stitched together anorak - then cut it all apart to use as a template. To my disappointment, no matter how I laid it all out, I could not get all the parts from one blanket. These JNA blankets were probably washed and dried a few times and measured something like 6-8 inches less each dimension than a Rothco 90% wool blanket that I already had which was 62x90. So I had to cut about a quarter of my second JNA blanket.

Pieces cut, I stitched together the top of the shoulders, the hood, attached the hood (this was the hardest part), then the sleeves and sides. Lastly added a stretchy synch at the bottom, velcro tabs on the cuff, and a hanging cord by the back of the neck. There's also a small secret waterproof pocket and a couple D rings inside the front pocket.

Sewing was REALLY hard because the fabric was just SO THICK. I was not able to do proper full felled seams, but was able to at least double stitch some of the seams but not all like the sleeves. Trying to get that little section in the front where the bottom of the hood attaches was A BEAST. Had to try to get through 4-5 layers, and the presser foot on my machine just barely squeezed it in there. Broke several needles, and had to undo lots of tangles.

I was really pleased with how it turned out, but will have to watch to make sure those seams are holding. So far I've been wearing it a lot in the winter and am quite warm with a sweater under it well below zero. Fact is, it's too warm for those wet canoe days that I made it for! So a second one will be in order. Used the same pattern on that Rothco blanket I had. The wool is thinner, and it was MUCH easier to sew. Gave the first Rothco one to a friend who really wanted one, so now will have to make myself another before spring lake trout fishing comes along. Here is the second one I made and gave to a friend.

Wow, nice job - that thick stuff can be really difficult since it will not feed correctly. My old Viking 6440 machine has a true low gear that is really helpful for those kind of projects. The only problem is that it is approaching 50 years old and has had a lot of use, thus getting worn out.

Very nice job. Looks great. Looks better with the piping you put on there than one from Lester River.

Wish I had sewing skills to do that.

Very nice. Wool is wonderful stuff.

I'm very impressed. Now I have another item on my to do list.

Oh, wow! I love it! I'm new to sewing, so I doubt I could accomplish this. Maybe after some more practice. I'll need to scout out s pattern.